Supervisors info:
Σαράτσης Γιάννης, ΕΔΙΠ , Τμήμα Μηχανικών Χωροταξίας Πολεοδομίας και Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης, Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλίας.
Summary:
This study examined the importance of human-centered management in small and medium-sized enterprises and more specifically the benefits it provides them. For the needs of the present study, in addition to the introduction, seven other chapters were developed through which the present topic was examined. The first four chapters, in addition to the introduction, framed the theoretical part while the remaining three the research part. The chapters of the theory discussed issues related to the definition and importance of small and medium-sized enterprises, while reference was also made to the challenges they have to manage. Leadership models were also examined while leadership was linked to the management process. The fourth chapter focused on human-centered management, which was the main topic of the study, while in chapter 5 a reference was made to small and medium-sized enterprises in Greece, since there was a need for an analysis of this sector, as the topic of the work referred to it. Methodologically, the study was based on the quantitative research. In particular, a survey was carried out in 70 small and medium-sized enterprises that were based in Attica and the rest of Greece. For the needs of the research, a questionnaire of 44 questions was prepared, which consisted of 3 parts. The main research questions that were examined were the following: a) At what level are the participants satisfied with their work? b) Does having a higher education degree affect the level at which participants are satisfied with their work? c) Do the years that the participants have owned their business and the number of full-time employees affect the level to which they are satisfied with their work? d) Does the leadership style followed by the head of the business affect the job satisfaction of the participants? In conclusion, the study found that with regard to the first research question, the job satisfaction of the participants is placed above average, and in relation to the second research question, participants who have a higher education degree are more satisfied with their work, while in the third research question it was observed that the years the participants have been business owners and the number of employees do not affect their job satisfaction in a statistically significant way. Finally, it was observed that the more the participants believe that the manager is honest, keeps their promises, devotes time to their subordinates, makes decisions based on their beliefs and shows concern for unethical things, the more satisfied they are with their job. At the level of recommendations, the state should strengthen businesses in terms of focusing on the personnel, in providing incentives and training, in that universities should export to the market future executives with knowledge, and finally, owners-leaders of small and medium-sized enterprises should be trained in terms of focus to the person so that through the satisfaction of the employees they can achieve their goals in the wider markets of their action.
